“You Got McDonald’s Money?”

I vowed I would never become my parents. And then, one day, my child asked to eat at McDonald’s. My response confirmed that I had indeed turned into my parents.

The “You got McDonald’s money?” question was a regular retort from my parents whenever my brother and I would ask for the Golden Arches. With that one snarky line, my mother would effectively shut down our begging.

Feeling defeated, we’d roll our eyes back upstairs to ungratefully wait for whatever home-cooked meal she’d prepare. But it didn’t matter what it was; it wasn’t McDonald’s.

Fast forward to my life as a parent, and the cycle continues.

I now quickly say, “You got Chick-fil-A money?” to my son. Now, I get the last laugh as I watch him roll his eyes and march upstairs like my brother and I did.